Grand Slam 3/Grand Slam 3.iso/047/health01.arj/FOODCM

Text File | 1993-04-09 | 4KB | 61 lines

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                             Food Combining for Optimum Digestion

    One may eat only the best quality and/or quantity of foods, but if the meal is not
digested properly it cannot be properly assimilated by the body.  Not only is this poorly
digested food therefore wasted, but it may form toxic material through fermentation and/or
putrefaction. These toxic byproducts of poor digestion then may be carried throughout the
body and interfere with normal functions of any type.  Therefore, a knowledge of how foods
are digested in the human body is absolutely necessary so the health seeker can plan meals
for optimum digestion.

    Concentrated protein, an item that has more than about 5% protein, is digested into
its constituent amino acids in a concentrated solution of hydrochloric acid and various
specific proteolytic enzymes.  This takes place in the stomach and upper intestinal tract.

    Concentrated starch starts to be digested in the mouth by an enzyme, ptyalin, in an
alkaline medium.  Ptyalin is deactivated by stomach acid.

    As we chew a concentrated protein, signals are sent to the stomach to release
hydrochloric acid and the appropriate enzymes.  As we chew a concentrated starch, very
different signals are sent to prepare for a totally different and incompatible chemical
process.  Therefore, eating starches and proteins in the same meal sends conflicting
signals, and nothing gets digested properly.

    Since an acid and an alkaline cannot exist in the same stomach simultaneously, the
eating of concentrated starch and concentrated protein at the same meal leads to
inefficient digestion and possible fermentation, putrefaction, and autointoxication.  Note
that the cultural diets all around the world consist of a concentrated protein and
concentrated starch: meat and potato, hamburgers on buns with fries, meatballs or fish and
pasta, fish and rice, beans and rice, lox and bagels, even the "health food" nut butters on
bread.  None of these can be digested properly!

    Also, since fruits have a chemistry that is very different from either proteins,
starches, or vegetables, they should be eaten alone.  Alcohol is made from the fermentation
of fruits and starches.

    It is best to totally avoid starch-protein combinations by having only one in a meal,
and diluting this with non-starchy vegetables.

    Wait for at least 4 hours after eating a starch or protein meal before eating again to
allow the stomach to empty.  Since fruit is so easily digested, it is necessary to wait
only about one hour after a fruit meal.  Plain vegetables, such as a salad, are digested in
about 2 hours.

    If one has a problem with intestinal gas, this is most likely due to eating
indigestible combinations and/or eating cooked concentrated proteins, such as beans.  As
human protein needs are only 1.1% of its total diet when its needs were the greatest as a
baby, concentrated proteins should be totally avoided by the adult.

    Anyone trying this concept will immediately feel results, such as a "lighter" feeling
after eating, more energy, the lack of that familiar heavy lump in the stomach lasting for
hours after eating, reduced intestinal gas.

    Further information on food combining for optimum digestion is available in Food
Combining Made Easy, by Herbert Shelton, available from the American Natural Hygiene
Society, POBox 30630, Tampa, FL 33630  [phone].

    The concept of food combining for amino acid complementarity as propagated by Francis
Moore Lappe in Diet for a Small Planet is pseudoscientific nonsense, which, if followed,
results in indigestible starch-protein combinations.